Placer sheriff’s office receives grant to help curb underage drinking

The Placer County Sheriff’s Office has received a $50,000 grant from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control for programs to combat underage drinking and alcohol sales to minors.

The Roseville Police Department will participate in the grant, which also will assist the Sheriff’s Office in providing training regarding alcohol-related crimes and their effect for school staff members, parents, students and the community, according to a Sheriff’s Office news release.

The Sheriff’s Office, throughout the year, will target problematic ABC licensed establishments that sell alcoholic beverages to minors and obviously intoxicated adult patrons. Minor-decoy and shoulder-tap operations also will be conducted countywide in an effort to reduce minors’ access to alcohol, sheriff’s officials said.

In a shoulder-tap operation, a minor, under the direct supervision of a peace officer, stands outside a liquor or convenience store and asks patrons to buy alcohol for him or her. The minor indicates in some way that he or she is underage and cannot purchase the alcohol. If the adult agrees to purchase the alcohol for the minor, officers arrest and cite the adult.

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A minor-decoy operation involves minors – also working under direct supervision of officers – who attempt to purchase alcohol from retail licensees.

Deputies and police officers will identify areas and businesses where alcohol use in causing problems. They will inspect operations at those locations and randomly select establishments to ensure that licensees are operating within the standards required by the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.